Control circuits



P. w. REYNOLDS CONTROL C IRCUITS Filed NOV. 24, 1925 May 10, 1927.

ENVENT flwm I Patented May 10,1921.

UNITED. STATES PALMER w. REYNOLDS, or

aiaoNxvILLE, new YORK.

con'mor. c nemas.

Application filed November 24, 1925. Serial No. 71,262.

This invention relates to control systems and more particularly to systems for controlling the operation of a valve.

The present invention is especially applicable to the lieating'of buildings wherein a heating medium is supplied to apparatus in vthe building through a pipe line under the control of a main valve. In such heating systems it has been found advisable to sup- ,ply the heating medium. to the apparatus 111- termittently in order that a temperature con-.

sistent with prevailing conditions can be maintained. Moreover these intervals of admission must be varied to correspbnd to variations in weather conditions.

Accordingly the present invention aims to provide in' a system for controlling the operation of valve, means forintermittently opening and closing .the valve, means for varying the intervals between the opening and closing of the valve, and means for rendering the intermittent opening andclosing mechanism inactive while the valve is held open for a predetermined variable period.

Ancillary features incorporated in the system are the utilization of timing mechanism for causing the entire system to be automatic in operation, means for restoring all the elements of the system toan initial position at the end of each operating period, and means manually operated for turning thevalve on or off and at the same time rendering apart of the system inactive,

. In carrying out the invention, use is made i of a balanced valve operated by a motor.

group of circularly; arranged contacts, adapted to be bridged by a motor driven brush, are so associated with the valve motor ,through a series of variable switches that,

4:) the bridging of one set of contacts will cause tioned switch.

the valve motor to be actuated in such a manner as to 'open-orclose the valve, .dependent upon the setting of the above mensec'ond series" of contacts spaced apart outside the first contacts .and

adapted'to be bridged by a second brush ro- 'tated simultaneously with the first brush, are

so associated with the first set of contacts as to render them inactive for a predetermined variable period, during which time the valve is held open.

A main sw tch, which maybe time con: trolled for causing the operation of the sysgoverns the operation fthe circuits for opening and closing the while additional circuits are provided for causing the brush carrying arm to rotate to its starting position and there'bezstopped regardless of its position at the time of opening'of the main switch.

A more comprehensive.understanding of the features and merits of the invention can be obtained by reference to the drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the same.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a valve preferably 'of the balanced type for controlling a suitable pipe line B. An operating valve arm 10 is raised or lowered by a chain 11 passing over pulleys 12 and actuated by a motor M This motor is provided with a shaft 13 having an elbow to which one end of-the-chain 11 is attached so that as the shaft rotates the movement of the chain causes an up and down movement of thearmlO to open and close the valve A re- .will be further rotated through an angle of 180 and automatically stopped. Thus it may be seen, that as power is applied through one circuit and the shaft has com pleted its partial rotation and either opened orv closed the 'valve, the circuits must be changed to cause the reverse operation of the valve. I

In as much as the features and principles of operation 'ofthis' type of motor and associated control is well known in the art, it is not described or illustrated indetail and no specific claim is made thereto.

In'order that the valve may be opened and closed at predetermined intervals, and that these intervals may be varied to meet' existent conditions a plurality of pairs of contacts 20 to 31 inclusive are spaced equidistant in the outline-of a circle. One contact of each of the pairs 21-31 inclusive is connected directly to a'bus 32 which, 'upon the energization of a relay Rfl'is connected to the common contact 2 of the motor M through the normally open contacts 0. a manner permitting the completion of'the The remaining contacts of groups 21 and 27 are connected in .parallel to a single pole double throw switch 33 by a conductor 34. A similar switch 35 and conductor 36 serve the same purpose for contacts of groups 22 and 28; switch 37 and conductor 38 for groups 23 and29, switch 39 and conductor 40 for groups 24 and 30, and switch 41 and conductor 42 for groups 25 and 31. A conductor 43 in contact witha conductor 44 connects one contact of group 26 directly to the contact 1 on motor-M A bus 45 hasone end connected to the contact 3'on motor M through the lead 46? A similar bus 47 is connected to the contact 1 on motor M through conductors 48 and 49, local contacts C and conductor 44. Local contacts C are closed only upon the energization of'relay R ,As shown the switches 33, 35, 37, 39 and 41 may be thrown to make contact with the bus 45 or 47 as may be desired.

F or bridging the contact points of each of the groups 20 to31 inclusive a motor M is adapted to rotate either 'directly'or indirect- 1y an arm 50 having-a brush portion 51' and a second brush 53 the purpose of which will hereinafter ,be explained in detail. Insulating sections 52 and 54 prevent interference between the brushes themselves and between the brushes and the arm 50. Power to opcrate motor M is supplied fro'm any con-- venient source, indicated by the lines-55, through the leads 56 and'57. The lead 57 is closed through the local contzicts'C, which are opened only when relay R is energized. Such energization takes place when the contacts of group 20 are closed, setting up a circuit from the lines through the. conrotate in such a manner as to open the valve cluctor- 58, contacts 20 and conductor 59. A relay R having local contacts C is shunted across the line 59 for a purpose to be explained later) Thus it may be 'seen that as the arm 50 rotates the contacts of-the successive groups are closed'and dependent upon the position,

0f"switches 33, 35, 37, 39 and 41 relative to the busses 45 and 47, circuits will be clo'sed between the neutral 2 and one tacts 1 and of motor M For starting and stopping the operation of the system a master control switch ,60 which may be controlled either manually or. by a suitable timing mechanism D, is located in the power lines 55. Upon the closure of switch, 60 relay R is'energized through the circuit 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, closing local contacts C and placing a shunt across the line 57; relay R is energized through circuit 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, closing local contacts C thereby completing a circuit 44, (1 49,48, 47, 67,,C, 68, 32', causing the motor M to of the con- A. -The contacts C, are held in a closed.

position until relay 'R" is energized, in such mentioned circuit, Simultaneously with the energization of relays R and R rela R is energized through the circuit 61, 69, 0, .71, 66 opening local contacts C. and.

breaking a circuit 32, 72, 73, 46 which, being already established, had caused the motor M to rotate insuclra manner as to close the valve A2. v

In the heating of buildings it is desirable that the heating medium be sometimessupplied to the apparatus in the building for a" These means comprise groups of contacts 75, 76, 77 one contact of each group being connected by the bus' 78 to a line 79. Oneend of the line 79, terminates at a switch? pole 80 while the' remaining contacts of groups 75, 76 and 77 are connected to switch poles 81, .82and 83 respectively. A single pole switch 84 is adapted to make contactwith any one of the switch :points 80, 81, 82, or 83. Should the switch be set at point 80, the switch 60having been closed, acircuit-61, 85, 86, switch 84. 79, 71, 66 will be closed, energizihg relays R and R Relay R will also be energized through the circuit 61, 85, 86. switch84, 79, 87, 64, 65, 66. Relay R upon being energized opensthe local con,- tacts' C opening the previously described circuit between the common contact 2 and contact 1 on motor M Relay R upon heing energized closes the local contacts C thereby connecting the couta't bus 32 with thecommon contact point 2 on motor.M. Relay R -upon being energized closes. local I contact C thereby closing a" shunt across the lines 79 and 86,'in such a manner locking therellys R aiid R in energized condition.

Should the switch 84 be in contact with either of the points 81, 82,83, the relays R R, and R will be inactive-until the arm 50 rotates sufliciently for the brush 53 to bridge the contacts 75, 76, or 77, as the case may be,

at which time the previously mentioned circults Wlll be closed in the same manner.

Thus it will be seen that thecontacts 21 and 31 inclusive have no effect on the operation of the system until the local contacts C are closed, connecting the bus 32 to the LOlllll'lOIl, cohtact2 on the motor M Suitable resistances ,88 may be inserted in the l-ines56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 66 to limit the powertherein if so desired.

In order that the valve A may be opened .or closed manually during the operation of thejsiystem atriple action switch 90 is provide SWltCh; 90 is composed of two sets 1 similar contact strip 96 is inserted between the members 93and94. A pivoted cam 97 having an operating lever 98 is so associated with the strips 95 and 96 as to held them in substantially horizontal planes, when the lever 98 is in neutral position shown in the drawings. Member-s91 and 92 are connected in the line 32 between the local contacts C and C and are both in contact with'the strip i 95 when the lever 98, is in neutral position.

Strip 96 is connected directly'tothe line 32 and contacts 93 and 94 are connected todhe lines 44 and 46 respectively,-as shown; In neutral position neither of the members 93 and contact with the strip 96.

Should the operator at any time desire to, close the valve A,'the lever 98 is pushed upwardly, ro ating the cam 97 an amount suflicient to raise the-strip- 95 and member 91, thereby opening the line 32 and render-' ing the contacts 21.-31= inclusive inactive during the rotation of'brush arm 50. At

the same time the resiliency of strip 96 1 forces it into contact with the member 93,

closing 'a circuit 1, 93, 96, 32, 2, causing motor M to operate, opening valve A. On the other hand, should it be 'desircd'that the valve be closed, the lever 98 is pushed downwardly, permitting the'resiliency of strip 95 to force it and the member 92 downwardly,

opening line 32, while the cam 97 forces strip 96 into contact with member 94, es.

tablishing a circuit 3, 9 1, 96, 32, 2, causing motor M to close valve A. i

In order that the valve A be opened when the switch 60 is closed, at the beginning of an operating period, means are provided for causing the motorv M to bestopped only when the contacts 20 are closed by the brush 51. The operation of such means is as follows:

At the time of opening of swit cli 60,

i shouldthe contacts 20 be closed by the brush 50 therelay R wouldbe energized through circuit 58, 20, 59, opening local contacts C and breaking the'energizing circuit of the motor M causing it to stop with the arm 50 in the position in which the bfush 51 bridges contacts 20. On the other band, should the arm 50 be at any position other than brid ing contacts 20, at the time of opening switch 60, motor M will continue to rotate until the contacts are closed, at which time it will be stopped in the manner explained before.- Relay 11* is energized simultaneously with relay R, closing contacts C so. that a" circuit may be closed between the points 1 and 2 upon resumption of operation.

In the operation bf.

arbitrary conditions must first be determined spaced approximately '15 minutes apart.

Next let it be assumed that the v$alve Al is 'to remain open for fifteen -minutesand-- closed for fifteen minutes. Accordinglythe switches 33, 37, and 41 are thrown to make contact with the bus while the switches and 39 are thrown mtof contact with the bus 47. Inasmuch as the contacts 20 are I the starting contacts and one of the contact In such a 26 is connected to the contact 1, the valve A =will alwa s be opened when these pairs are bridged y the brush 51. "Should it be desired that the intermittent opening and closing of the valve be started imn iedi'ately, the switch 84 will be thrown-into contact with the point 80. In this condition, i e. starting position with the brush 51 bridging the contacts 20 and relays R R R R, R and R will be deenergized and the-relays R and R will .be energized. I At the desired time the switch 60 is closed either manually or automatically by the timing device '1). Immediately relays'B, R and{ R are energized simultaneously, closing local contacts C and C and opening local contacts G The closing of contacts C place a shunt across the line 57, closing a circuit 56, 57 to start the motor M which drives the brush arm 50. This closing of contacts C establishes a circuit 32, 72,0", 419, +1 1, starting the moton M to open valve A. The opening of contacts (1 breaks a .circuit 32, 72, 73,0 46 which hadpreviously energized themotor M to close the valve A, at the ,end of an operating period.

Simultaneously circuits are closed throhgh the switch 8-1 to energize the relays R", R, and R allowing the common contact 2 to be connected to the contact-bus 32 through the contacts C and locking these relays in the manner before explained. T

The brush arm then rotates till the brush 51 closes contacts'21 at which time a the switch open, the

circuit -16, 45, 33, 34, 21, 32.will be closed 1 to start the motor M closing the valve Further rotation of the brush arm 50 will cause the brush 51 to close contacts 22, es-

tablishing a circuit 32, 22, 36, .35, 17 48, 49,

10, 4.4, to start the motor Mfi opening the valve. The bridgi'ng'of contacts 23 and 25 closes circuits'similar tothat closed by con-' tactsg 21, while contacts 24 control a circuit similar to that controlled by contacts 22.

"Vhen the brush arm rotates sutlici'cntly for the brush. 51 to bridge contacts 26 a circuit.44,"4i3, 32 is established opening the valve A. This action is definite and occurs the system several' regardles's ,of" the setting of the; switches in paralleliwith gi oups 27, 28, 29, 30 and- 33, 35, 37, 39 and-41, Inasmuch as the groups 21, 22, 23,24 and*% are connected '31 respectively the bridging of the last-menwhich they are associated.

tioned'gronps closescircuits identical with those of the first mentioned group gWllZh This intermittent opening and closing of the" valve A continuestill at a desired time the switch 60 is opened either automatically power supplied to the motor M under the control of relay R.

The opening of contacts C removes the energizing lock from the relays R and R and permits them to v remain inactive. The opening of contacts C opens the circuit to the common contacts 2 and 1 from being closed. The closing ofcontacts C sets up a circuit 32, 72, 73, C 46, starting the motor M *to close the valveA. 'The closing of contacts C places the valve opening circuit in readiness for resumption of operation, while the opening of contacts C breaks the connection between the contact bus 32 and the com mon contact-2 of motorM rendering the i contacts 2131 inclusive inactive.

Should the contacts be bridged by brush 5 at the time of opening of the switch 60, the motor M is immediatelystopped, otherwise it will continues running until those contactsai'e closed at which time it will be stopped in the manner hereinbefore ex plained.

Should conditions prevail which render it. desirable for the valveA to be allowed to remain open for considerable period, for ex-' ample an hour, an hour and ahalf, or two hours, at the (beginning of a heating period, the switch 84 would be turned to make contact with the points 81, 82 or 83 respectively.

QlVith the closing of switch 60, the relays '1 R, R and R would be energized. as before explained but the relays R R aand R would not be energized until the arm had rotated an amount sufficient for the brush 53 to bridge the-contacts 81,82 or ./83 as the case might be. Until that time the circularly. arranged contacts wouldbe inactive. However,'upon the bridging of the I contacts 81, 82 or 83 by'the brush 53, the

relays R R and B would be energized and the operation would con tinuei as before co.

explained. i M a It is to be'understood that the timing of the system is arbitrary and that the intervals mentioned herein are cited merely as "{;'e 'xamples, the actual setting and arrange .05'

m'ent of thevarious parts being capable of ntacts 2 of motor BIB-preventing a circuit between for simultaneously energizing said" motor ran e determined by'the speed of rotation of rush 50 by varying the setting of switches 33,35, 31, 39 and 41.

Thus it 'will be seen that the prcscrit invention provides decided advantages over existent systems and-that it produces a dis tinct advancement in the art. Once started 7 the intermittent opening amt closing of the valve continues until the main switch is opened. Should the timing mechanism D fail after the system is' in operation, the system will function properly until the El mechanism is repaired or the inain' swi'tcl closed manually. I .r

It is further to be understood that the present invention is not to .belimited by the scope of the illustrated embodiment, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

a What is claimed is; I

1. Ina control system the combination with a motor-operated valve, of a main. switch, means whereby the closing of said switch causes said motor to open said valve, means for intermittently causing said motor to close and open said valve after theclosing of said switch, and means whereby the (.Tpening of said switch'causes said motor to close said valve and stops the intermittent closing and opening thereof.

2. Ina control system the combination of a valve, a .controlswitch, motor driven means for causing the intermittent opening and closing of said valve, means for auto- .matically causing the'openmg of said valve upon the closure of saids witch, and means driven means.

3. In a-systex'n in accordance with claim 2, means for automatically causing the closure of said valv upon theopening of said .switch and means for simultaneously stop ping the intermittent opening and closing of said valve. A. In a, control system the combination with a motor-operated valve, of motor driven mechanism for intermittently energizing said motor to open and close said valve, meansifo'r causing said valve to remain open for a'-predetermined period, means for rendering said mechanismv ina'tive during said period without stopping the motor driving said mechanism, and means for automatically rendering said mechanism active atthe end of said period.

5. In a control system the combination of a; valve, separately driven means for causing the intermittent opening andclosing said. valve and manually operated means for cansing the opening or closing of said valve and ,for simultaneously rendering said driven means inactive without stopping the driving thereof.

upon the closing of said switch, and means for. automatically causingsaid driven means to return to its starting point after the opening of said switch.

,7. In a control system the combination with a motor-operated valve, of a control switch, separately driven means: for inter mittentl energizing said motor to open and "close said valve at predetermined variable intervals, means for automatically ener glzs ing said motor to open the valve upon the closure of sa'id switch and for simultaneously actuatin said driven means, means fol-causing saif valve to beheld open for a predetermined variable periodand for render ing said driven means inactive during'said period, means for rendering said driven.

means active at the end of-said period, means for causlng saidimotor to close said valve and for automaticallypondering said driven means inactive u on the openingoflsaid switch, andmean's oincausing said driven means to return to its starting point and to be' automa'tically stopped after the opening g of said switch. a

: taneously rendering said driven means inactive.

3% In a control system, the combination of."

J -a valve, a motor for operat ng said valve,

separately driven means for intermittently energizing said motor at predetermined intervals to cause positive opening of said valve and for causing intermittentjopening between said intervals. U I 10.;In a control system, the combination with a motonoperated valve, of a plurality of contact points, electricall connected to said motor, ,means for cosing circuits .t rou h said contact points to cause ener- \gization "of said motor for opening and closing said valve, and means for varying the CII'CllllIS associated w th, each of sa d con-f 12. In a control system, thecombination' of'a valve, a control switch, n 1eans for operating said valve, driven means for'caus ing the actuation of said operating meansto open and close said valve accordmg to.

a predetermined cycle, means for automatically' energizing said-driven means upon the closing of said switch, and means for causing said driven means to complete itscycle regardless of the position thereof at the time of opening of said switch.-

13. In a,,control system, the combination of a valve, avcontrol switch, means for auto-- mati'cally causing the'openlng of said valve upon the closure of said switch, means for causing the intermittent opening and closing of said valve during the period 0t closure of said switch, and means for automatically causing the closing of said valvelupon the opening'of said switch and for'causing said valve to remain closed until said switch is closed.

14. In a control systemflhe combination of a valve, a motor for operating said valve, a control switch, separately-driven means for causing theenergization of said motor at intervals to open" and close said switch, means for automatically causing said motor "to' opensaid valve upon the closure of said switch, means for simultaneously causing the actuation of said driven means, means for renderinmsald driven means inactive without stoppmg'the driving thereof for a predetermined period after the closure of said switch, and means for automatically rendering said driven means active at the expiration of. said period. i I r In testimony whereof,

(name to this specification.

.I "have signed my 

